Holidays are 'essential' for Brits

Holidaymakers from Britain are the least likely to give up their trips than tourists from various other countries, it has been claimed.

According to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), this is because Britons view holidays as an "essential rather than a luxury".

A spokesman for ABTA noted that foreign holidays have been very popular since the 1970s and as there are many reasonably-priced deals now available many people do not think it is necessary to give up a holiday to save money.

He went on to say that while there has been a downturn in the travel industry recently, it appears as though the market is now picking up.

"We have our own figures saying that figures for this winter are up by one per cent. These are the British figures," commented the spokesman.

"The British market is perhaps, with us going abroad, slightly more resilient than other countries. Our figures are showing that."

According to research conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of ABTA, published in October, almost 50 per cent of respondents are not going to change their holiday plans as a result of the financial crisis.